With just two weeks remaining, the campaign to repeal a new state law that bans discrimination against gays has received fewer than half the signatures it needs, its leader said Tuesday.

Still, Michael Heath, executive director of the Christian Civic League of Maine, is "cautiously optimistic" about getting on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The 'campaign' has gathered roughly 20,000 signatures, only about 5,000 of which have been verified by town clerks, Heath said.

More than 50,000 valid signatures are needed to put the law's repeal before statewide voters.

"It's a low number compared to what we need," Heath said, "and the reason is almost all the petitions are in the field with circulators." I do not see it being a problem for them to gather them when it is all said and done - be it legal or illegal methods.

Heath, whose hateful comments about gays and lesbians have made him a polarizing figure in Maine, expects many more signed petitions to arrive in the next two weeks, as campaign workers wrap up their efforts.

Already there's been a surge in activity. Just last week, Heath said the campaign had only 10,000 signatures.

There is historical precedent for a late flurry of signatures from Heath's supporters.

In 1997, the last time Heath organized efforts to repeal a law that banned discrimination against gays and lesbians, only 33,000 signatures were collected before the campaign's last five days, he said at the time.

But in a decisive final push, supporters produced another 25,000 signatures.

Again this year, conservative religious activists, including Heath, are hoping to overturn a recently passed Maine law that protects gays and lesbians from bias in housing, employment, education and other areas.

The law's repeal is being fought by another group, Maine Won't Discriminate, which is assuming that opponents will gather enough signatures by the June 28 deadline.

"You can't wait until June 29 and just wake up and find they have the signatures," spokesman Ted O'Meara explained. "You have to be laying the groundwork for a very vigorous four-month campaign."

Heath claimed at least 1,500 people are seeking signatures at churches, supermarkets, and various other locations around the state. Now - why in the hell are churches always the best place to find people to sign these anti-gay measures, proposals, etc? It's not that these certain Christians are simply anti-gay marriage, they are plain and simple anti-gay. Anything that they can do to hold back any sort of rights for gays, lesbians and their families. Be it even a fair workplace environment. How about the right to not be fired SIMPLY because you are gay. That's all it takes a lot of places. And so many christians think that it is ok. So much for the compassion...

The campaign has raised somewhere between $60,000 and $100,000, Heath said. Some of the people collecting signatures are being paid, he added, but paid workers make up a small part of the overall effort.

Heath's comments came at the end of a two day, six stop tour around the state, the "Wake Up Maine Tour." Which is a little confusing. Wake up to what? Wake up to taking basic human rights away from gays and lesbians? What a great idea!?

Twice in the past, Maine voters have repealed laws banning discrimination against lesbians and gays. In February 1998, voters overturned a law passed by the Legislature; the margin was 52 percent to 48 percent. In November 2000, a similar gay rights measure was defeated by a single percentage point. Maybe now that we are in 2005 and people are 'Waking Up' - this will not be repealed.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at 10:53 AM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.